Management of Fish in Ontario - Backgroud Report Supporting

Management of Fish in
Ontario
Background Report Supporting Ontario’s
Provincial Fish Strategy
Draft – January 2014
Fisheries Policy Section, Policy Division,
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
1/10/2014
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Summary
This document was written to support the development of Ontario’s Provincial Fish Strategy: Fish for the
Future, and provides a contemporary overview of the management of fisheries, fish communities and
their supporting ecosystems in the province of Ontario.
This document begins with a description of the diverse fish communities found within Ontario, and then
provides an overview of these communities’ ecological, socio-cultural and economic values. The
remainder of the document focuses on the present-day role and activities of the Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources (MNR) in managing the province’s fisheries, fish communities and their supporting
ecosystems.
Resumé
Ce document a été rédigé pour soutenir le développement de Ontario’s Provincial Fish Strategy: Fish for
the Future (Politique stratégique provinciale relative à la pêche pour l'Ontario : Assurer la pérennité des
ressources halieutiques), et donne un aperçu contemporain de la gestion de la pêche, les communautés
de poissons et leurs écosystèmes associés dans la province de l'Ontario.
Ce document commence par une description des communautés de poissons divers trouvés en Ontario,
puis donne un aperçu des valeurs écologiques, socio-culturels et économiques de ces communautés. Le
reste du document se concentre sur le rôle et les activités du ministère des richesses naturelles (MRN)
dans la gestion de la pêche, les communautés de poissons de la province et leurs écosystèmes
associés.
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1
2.0 Diversity of Ontario’s Fish Communities .................................................................... 1
Hudson Bay Lowlands ................................................................................................. 3
Ontario Shield .............................................................................................................. 5
Mixed Wood Plains ...................................................................................................... 6
Great Lakes ................................................................................................................. 7
3.0 Importance of Ontario’s Fish and Fisheries ............................................................... 9
Ecological Value of Fish Communities......................................................................... 9
Social and Cultural Value of Fisheries ....................................................................... 10
Recreational Fisheries ........................................................................................... 10
Commercial Fisheries ............................................................................................ 11
Aboriginal Fisheries................................................................................................ 11
Economic Value of Fisheries ..................................................................................... 12
Recreational Fisheries ........................................................................................... 12
Commercial Food Fisheries ................................................................................... 13
Commercial Bait Fisheries ..................................................................................... 14
4.0 Managing Ontario’s Fisheries, Fish Communities and Supporting Ecosystems ...... 15
Legislation ................................................................................................................. 15
Strategic Direction ..................................................................................................... 15
Managing Fisheries ................................................................................................... 17
Scale of Management ............................................................................................ 17
Fisheries Management Planning ............................................................................ 20
Monitoring and Reporting ....................................................................................... 21
Allocation and Licensing ........................................................................................ 23
Regulations ............................................................................................................ 24
Compliance ............................................................................................................ 25
Responsible Fishing Practices ............................................................................... 25
Research and Development ................................................................................... 25
Fish Stocking.......................................................................................................... 26
Fish Health ............................................................................................................. 27
Food Fish Safety .................................................................................................... 27
Managing for Fish Communities ................................................................................ 28
Invasive Species Prevention and Management ..................................................... 28
Species at Risk Recovery Planning ....................................................................... 29
Recovery of Native Populations ............................................................................. 31
Managing for Supporting Ecosystems ....................................................................... 32
Habitat Protection and Rehabilitation ..................................................................... 32
Resource Management Planning ........................................................................... 32
Protected Areas ..................................................................................................... 33
References Cited .......................................................................................................... 34
Appendix 1: Glossary .................................................................................................... 35
Glossary A to E .......................................................................................................... 35
Glossary E to L .......................................................................................................... 36
Glossary N to R ......................................................................................................... 37
Glossary R to W......................................................................................................... 38
Appendix 2: Legislation, regulation and agency responsibilities for management of
fisheries, fish communities and their supporting ecosystems in Ontario ....................... 40
1.0 Introduction
This document was written to support the development of Ontario’s Provincial Fish
Strategy: Fish for the Future, and provides a contemporary overview of the
management of fisheries, fish communities and their supporting ecosystems in the
province of Ontario.
This document begins with a description of the diverse fish communities found within
Ontario, and then provides an overview of these communities’ ecological, socio-cultural
and economic values. The remainder of the document focuses on the present-day role
and activities of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) in managing the
province’s fisheries, fish communities and their supporting ecosystems.
2.0 Diversity of Ontario’s Fish Communities
Ontario has a wide array of aquatic ecosystems that make up 24% of Canada’s
freshwater, and include more than 250,000 lakes and countless kilometres of rivers and
streams. Seventy-one per cent of these waters flow to Hudson Bay via the Hudson BayJames Bay Basins and the Nelson River Basin, whereas the remaining twenty-nine per
cent drain to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system.
The distribution of fish across Ontario’s aquatic ecosystems is a result of re-colonization
after the last glaciation and current climate, as well as human influence. In terms of the
number of fish species, the wide range of aquatic ecosystems and habitats across the
province supports a high diversity of freshwater fishes; in fact, Ontario has the highest
diversity in Canada, with approximately 128 species native to the province and at least
17 naturalized species. A number of invasive species of fish are also found in Ontario.
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Ontario Fish Species – A Globally Significant Resource
Ontario has a responsibility to manage fish species that extends well
beyond the borders of our province.
Did you know?

Ontario is home to approximately 128 native and at least 17
naturalized species of fish.

About 25% of the world’s native self-sustaining populations of Lake
Trout are in Ontario. Because the Lake Trout is a sensitive species
that is adapted to a narrow range of environmental conditions, it is
an excellent indicator of the health of fragile aquatic ecosystems.
Approximately 5% of the province's Lake Trout populations have
already been lost, due largely to human activities; 43% of the lost
populations were in southeastern Ontario.

Ontario has 22% of all Muskellunge populations in North America.
Muskellunge are valued ecologically as a top predator in Ontario,
and are often managed to provide ‘trophy’ fishing opportunities.
Historically, Muskellunge were threatened by excessive commercial
and recreational harvest; however, Ontario has seen considerable
change in public perception of the species, to the point where
release rates commonly exceed 95%.
(Source: MNR data)
Within the province, species diversity of freshwater fishes is highest in the south and
declines northward. Correspondingly, fish communities in southern Ontario are typically
comprised of a greater number of species than their northern counterparts. These broad
differences among fish communities can be characterized by drawing comparisons
across ecozones.
Ontario’s fish communities are uniquely adapted to the aquatic ecosystems found in
each of the province’s four ecozones, namely Hudson Bay Lowlands, Ontario Shield,
Mixed Wood Plains and Great Lakes. The diversity of fish communities reflects the
broad range of habitats and climates across Ontario. Within the province, the highest
diversity of freshwater fishes occurs in the watersheds of the Mixed Wood Plains
ecozone, whereas it is lowest in the Hudson Bay Lowlands. The following synopsis of
Ontario’s four ecozones is based on information obtained from the Ecosystem Status
and Trends Report project.
2
Fish Communities
Fish communities can be classified in a number of different ways. In
Ontario, fish communities are typically thought of in terms of their lakedwelling versus riverine populations and water temperature (i.e., coldwater,
coolwater and warmwater). Although not every waterbody supports
species that conveniently fit into a single temperature-based category (e.g.,
some lakes contain both coldwater species, such as Lake Trout, and
coolwater species, such as Northern Pike), this classification method has
proven useful for characterizing Ontario’s lakes and streams.
Coldwater Fish Community: Assemblages of fish that prefer average
summer surface water temperature cooler than 19 °C and low productivity
environments. Lake Trout, Brook Trout and Lake Whitefish are species
typically found in coldwater lakes. Slimy Sculpin, Brook Trout and
American Brook Lamprey are typical of coldwater rivers and streams.
Coolwater Fish Community: Assemblages of fish that prefer average
summer surface water temperature between 19 °C - 25 °C and medium
productivity environments. Walleye and Northern Pike are species typically
found in coolwater lakes. Walleye, Iowa Darter and Northern Pike are often
found in coolwater rivers and streams.
Warmwater Fish Community: Assemblages of fish that prefer average
summer surface water temperature warmer than 25 °C and high
productivity environments. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Carp, Brown
Bullhead and Bowfin are typical of warmwater fish communities.
(Source: Adapted from Ryder and Edwards 1985; Coker et al. 2001)
Hudson Bay Lowlands
The Hudson Bay Lowlands is the northernmost ecozone in Ontario and covers
approximately 23 per cent of the province. The Hudson Bay Lowlands predominantly
encompasses Fisheries Management Zones (FMZ) 1 and 3 (Figure 1). The aquatic
habitats in the area include large rivers that cross the extensive wetlands that dominate
the landscape on their way to Hudson Bay, including the Moose, Albany, Attawapiskat,
Winisk and Severn Rivers. The area also contains a multitude of shallow bog lakes and
ponds, with 95 per cent of the lakes being smaller than 100 hectares. A few large,
shallow coolwater lakes are present, such as Missisa and Kesagami Lakes. A local
anomaly, the Sutton Ridges, is an upland area that survived the recession of the last
glacier and is characterized by its deeper lakes and swifter streams.
3
Figure 1: Ontario's 20 Fisheries Management Zones overlaid atop the province's four
ecozones (Hudson Bay Lowlands, Ontario Shield, Mixed Wood Plains and Great
Lakes).
Although fish monitoring and assessment in FMZs 1 and 3 has thus far been limited, at
least 45 fish species are known to occur in the area. Minnows (Cyprinidae), sticklebacks
(Gasterosteidae), sculpins (Cottus spp.) and darters (Etheostoma spp.) comprise the
fish communities found in shallow bog ponds. Larger species such as Northern Pike
(Esox lucius), Walleye (Sander vitreus), Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis),
Cisco (Coregonus artedi) and suckers (Catostomus spp.) are widespread in the larger
lakes and rivers. The lakes and streams on the Sutton Ridges support a wider array of
fish species, including the only four known Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)
populations in the area. Many coastal streams and rivers contain resident and sea run
4
Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), Lake Whitefish and Cisco. The lone invasive species
of fish is the Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu), which has only recently been
documented in the Moose and Albany Rivers.
The monitoring and assessment conducted to date indicate that the rivers, streams and
lakes of the area are relatively undisturbed compared to more developed areas of
Ontario. The level of disturbance in this area is expected to increase, however, as both
present mining operations and hydroelectric development expand. Increased resource
extraction and development is expected to disrupt local habitats and provide human
access to presently unexploited fish populations. In addition to direct development and
resource extraction pressures, climate change is expected to have varied and
widespread impacts on the aquatic ecosystems of the Hudson Bay Lowlands.
Ontario Shield
The Ontario Shield is the largest ecozone in the province, covering about 61 per cent of
Ontario. The ecozone contains the majority of ten FMZs, including: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10,
11, 12 and 15 (Figure 1). The aquatic habitats in the area include tens of thousands of
lakes, ranging in size from small ponds to 62,000 hectares. Some of the largest and
most recognized lakes in the area include Lac Seul, Lake of the Woods, Lake Nipigon
and Lake Nipissing. Thousands of kilometres of rivers and streams are also present,
such as the Winnipeg, Nipigon and French Rivers. This overall richness of aquatic
habitat supports diverse cold, cool and warmwater fish communities.
Approximately 50 fish species are known to occur in the area. Northern Pike, White
Sucker (Catostomus commersonii), Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) and Walleye are
the most dominant large-bodied fish species found in the lakes. Other large-bodied
species that frequently occur are Lake Whitefish, Burbot (Lota lota) and Cisco. The
deep, cold, well-oxygenated lakes in the area provide the primary habitat for Lake Trout
populations in the province. The most prevalent member of the small-bodied fish
community is Spottail Shiner (Notropis hudsonius), followed by Johnny Darter
(Etheostoma nigrum), Ninespine Stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) and Trout Perch
(Percopsis omiscomaycus). Brook Trout occurs extensively, commonly residing in
streams. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), Black Crappie
(Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) have expanded their
range significantly in this area.
The aquatic ecosystems of the Ontario Shield are relatively undisturbed, though they
are directly affected by a number of habitat stresses. Human impacts due to pollution
(e.g., acid rain, excessive nutrients), hydroelectric development and habitat alteration
(e.g., cottage shoreline development, forestry road building) are present and likely to
increase with planned future development and resource extraction. The effects of
5
climate change are also expected to intensify, predominately affecting the coldwater fish
communities in the area.
Mixed Wood Plains
The Mixed Wood Plains is Ontario’s smallest ecozone, covering approximately 8 per
cent of the province. Three management zones, FMZs 16, 17 and 18, are
predominantly encompassed by the ecozone (Figure 1). The area has highly variable
topography, surficial and bedrock geology and productivity; it thus supports a large
variety of aquatic habitats, including rivers, streams, wetlands and lake systems. There
are more than 100,000 kilometres of flowing waters in the area, ranging in size from
small creeks and streams to large rivers, including the Ontario portion of the St.
Lawrence River and a 580 km stretch of the Ottawa River. Large and productive
warmwater rivers, such as the Thames and Grand Rivers, are found in the Lake Erie
lowlands. Coldwater tributaries of Lake Ontario and Lake Huron (including Georgian
Bay) are also prominent features.
In addition to warmwater rivers and streams, there are a number of warm, shallow,
productive lakes and reservoirs distributed throughout the area, including the Kawartha
and Rideau Lake systems. Lake Simcoe, a deep coldwater lake, is the most dominant
lacustrine feature, though the majority of coldwater lakes are found on the Frontenac
Axis.
The Mixed Wood Plains ecozone supports approximately 161 species of fish, including
both native and alien species. The warmwater lakes and rivers support populations of
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), Black Crappie,
Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) and Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus). The large rivers
also have coolwater fish communities, a high diversity of small fish species and a
proportionally large number of species at risk. The coldwater lakes in the Mixed Wood
Plains have simple communities of primarily Lake Trout and Lake Whitefish populations.
Lake Simcoe, however, has cold, cool and warmwater fish communities, and more than
52 fish species are resident in this lake.
Rivers and streams flowing into the Great Lakes often support resident native Brook
Trout and naturalized Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) in the headwaters, and provide
spawning and nursery habitat for naturalized migratory salmonids, such as Rainbow
Trout (Onchorynchus mykiss), Chinook Salmon (Onchorhynchus tshawytscha), Coho
Salmon (Onchorhynchus kisutch) and re-introduced Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar).
Between 1973 and 1995, 24 fish species new to the area were documented, most due
to intentional or accidental introduction. Invasive species, such as Round Goby
(Neogobius melanostomus), are found in the area.
6
The aquatic ecosystems in the area are more disturbed than those of the Hudson Bay
Lowlands and Ontario Shield, as they are impacted by the agricultural and urban areas
that dominate these heavily altered landscapes. Fish communities are changing in
response to alterations in aquatic habitats across the area. Major stresses include
changes in the productivity of lake habitats; altered flow regimes in river systems;
fragmentation and impoundment of rivers and streams; loss of riparian areas; and the
spread of invasive species from the Great Lakes. The primary causes of these stresses
are increased urban and agricultural development in watersheds.
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes ecozone is comprised of five large lakes and their connecting
waterways, which contain nearly 20% of the world’s supply of surface freshwater.
Portions of four of these lakes lie in Canada (i.e., Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie and
Ontario), and are shared with the United States. The ecozone encompasses FMZs 9,
13, 14, 19 and 20; each of the four Great Lakes is an FMZ, with the exception of Lake
Huron, which is represented by two FMZs (Figure 1). The combined surface area of the
Canadian (i.e., Ontario) portion of these four lakes is about 88,000 km2.
The Great Lakes were shaped by glaciation more than 10,000 years ago. Their vast
waters contain a variety of habitats, such as deep offshore coldwater areas, open water
pelagic areas, coastal wetlands and nearshore warmwater embayments. This incredible
variety of habitats has resulted in diverse and unique fish communities.
There are approximately 145 species of fish – including both native and alien – that
inhabit the Great Lakes. The number of species in each of the lower Great Lakes (i.e.,
Lakes Erie and Ontario) is similar, but higher than that found in Lakes Huron and
Superior; the lower latitude, geology, physical and chemical characteristics of Lakes
Ontario and Erie contribute to their greater productivity. Lake Ontario is unique in that it
was colonized by a number of marine forms, including Atlantic Salmon, Threespine
Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and the American Eel (Anguilla rostrata). Lake
Erie is the shallowest and warmest of the Great Lakes, and is also the most productive.
The deep open waters of the Great Lakes were once dominated by two main predators,
Lake Trout and Burbot, as well as by Lake Whitefish and ciscoes. The pelagic fish
communities have experienced drastic changes since European settlement, and many
native salmonine and coregonine stocks have been lost. Today, Rainbow Trout and
Coho and Chinook Salmon, all native to the Pacific Ocean, are the most plentiful top
predators in the open water areas of Lake Ontario. Lake Superior is still dominated by
Lake Trout, Burbot and ciscoes, and rehabilitation efforts have allowed Lake Trout to
recently reclaim a position of dominance in Lake Huron. The dominant predator in Lake
Erie is Walleye.
7
The nearshore waters of the Great Lakes contain a more diverse community than the
deep waters, and differences between the lakes’ fish communities are most evident
here. Most of Lake Erie and the Bay of Quinte in Lake Ontario have extensive areas of
shallow water habitats that support abundant warmer water communities composed of
bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Muskellunge and Northern Pike. Generally, the steep
basins of Lakes Huron and Superior have narrow littoral zones and less abundant
warmwater fish communities.
Today, Great Lakes ecosystems are much improved from the 1970s, although habitat
degradation and overfishing have had varying degrees of impact on their ecology and
fish communities. Also, pollution, especially in the form of excessive nutrient loading
and toxic contaminants, has placed additional stresses on fish populations. Contributing
to these threats to native diversity has been a succession of invasions and deliberate
releases of alien aquatic species that have established substantial populations since the
1880s. Many alien species have, or have the potential to, significantly alter aquatic
ecosystems, especially as climate warming may enhance the suitability of Great Lakes
habitats for these species.
Ontario’s Ecozones
Hudson Bay Lowlands: Our northernmost ecozone covers 23 per cent of the
province. It is mostly wetlands, but also supports boreal and subarctic forests,
tundra, tidal marshes and numerous rivers and lakes.
Ontario Shield: Our largest ecozone covers 61 per cent of the province. Lakes,
ponds and wetlands make up almost 23 per cent of the area and about 68 per
cent of the area is forested. A large diversity of ecosystems are found throughout
its varied topography.
Mixed Wood Plains: Our smallest ecozone covers only 8 per cent of the
province, but is home to about 92 per cent of Ontario’s population. The original
forests, wetlands, prairies and alvars that once covered this ecozone have largely
been replaced by agricultural and settled landscapes.
Great Lakes: We share four of the five Great Lakes with the United States.
Ontario’s Great Lakes area is about 8 per cent of the province - similar in size to
the Mixed Wood Plains. About 85 per cent of our drinking water comes from here.
There is a diversity of habitats in the Great lakes: cold deepwater, shallow
nearshore, islands and coastal wetlands.
(Source: Adapted from Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy 2011)
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3.0 Importance of Ontario’s Fish and Fisheries
Fish benefit the ecology and ecosystems of Ontario, as well as its cultures and
economy. Throughout Ontario, fish support a variety of fisheries, including: recreational
fisheries, commercial food fisheries, commercial bait fisheries and Aboriginal fisheries.
Fish contribute substantially to Ontario’s economy, with recreational and commercial
fishing and their supporting industries valued in the billions of dollars annually. Fish
populations are also valued as a source of wild eggs, which are used for establishing
broodstock in aquaculture operations. It is also recognized that there is intrinsic value to
fish and that fish populations provide socio-cultural benefits and ecosystem services.
Ecological Value of Fish Communities
Fish generate many fundamental ecosystem services that are essential for ecosystem
function. Some of these services have a regulating function, such as the regulation of
carbon fluxes, nutrient cycling, food web dynamics and sediment processes, whereas
other services have a linking function, such as the transport of nutrients within and
between ecosystems.
Fish provide linkages between ecosystems as a result of their migration patterns, which
transport nutrients between water bodies. For example, suckers in many Ontario lakes
migrate into tributary streams to spawn, transferring carbon and other nutrients in the
eggs they deposit and through the decomposition of any adult fish that die. This transfer
of carbon and other nutrients can contribute to the production of algae, which can in turn
drive production at higher trophic levels, such as those occupied by aquatic
invertebrates and fish. Fish are also conduits of energy and nutrients between terrestrial
and aquatic ecosystems. For instance, fish eat many terrestrial invertebrates, and are in
turn prey for several species of terrestrial mammals and birds, such as Black Bear,
River Otter and Bald Eagle.
Importantly, fish also generate demand-derived ecosystem services. Unlike
fundamental ecosystem services, these services are based on human values and
demand, but can also provide ecological value. For instance, fish are sensitive to many
stresses and their response to a stress can often be identified early, making them
suitable early warning signals of anthropogenic, biological and environmental stress on
aquatic ecosystems. Conversely, fish are also indicators of ecosystem recovery. The
physical and physiological conditions of individual fish can be used to assess
ecosystem stress, as can fish species abundance, richness and composition. Due to
their dependency on clean, coldwater habitats that are well-oxygenated, Brook Trout
and Lake Trout are often used in Ontario as indicators of habitat and water quality
conditions.
9
Social and Cultural Value of Fisheries
Recreational Fisheries
In Ontario, the Heritage Hunting and Fishing Act, 2002 states that a person has a right
to hunt and fish in accordance with the law. Ontario offers a diverse array of recreational
fishing opportunities: fishing for sunfish off a dock in central Ontario; fly fishing on a
Great Lakes tributary; fly-in fishing on a remote northern lake; and everything in
between. In 2010, approximately 1,238,000 resident and non-resident anglers fished in
Ontario for a total of nearly 17 million days. The majority of this fishing occurred in
southern Ontario, accounting for more than 11 million days fished. Anglers spent 2.7
and 2.9 million days fishing in northwestern and northeastern Ontario in 2010,
respectively. Ontario has more resident anglers (more than 900,000) than any other
province or territory in Canada, although on a proportional basis, Ontario falls slightly
below the national average for residents participating in angling activities (7% vs. 8%,
respectively). Ontario also has more active non-resident anglers (approximately
338,000) than the combined number of non-resident anglers in all other provinces and
territories. However, the number of non-resident anglers has dropped nearly 50%, from
more than 600,000 in 2000.
More days are spent fishing on Lake Huron (including Georgian Bay) than any other
waterbody in Ontario, followed by Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Simcoe and Lake of
the Woods. The Kawartha Lakes in Fisheries Management Zone 17 are the most
intensively fished group of waterbodies in the province. Large rivers like the Ottawa
River, St. Lawrence River and Grand River are also popular recreational fishing spots.
Lake Simcoe and Lake Nipissing are the most popular ice fishing destinations in the
province. Walleye is the most preferred species in the province, followed by bass and
Northern Pike in open water fisheries. Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike and Lake
Trout are the most preferred species in winter ice fisheries.
There are various aspects to the social and cultural value derived from fisheries,
including the intrinsic value of fish. Fishing can connect anglers with family and friends,
and also with nature and the out-of-doors. In addition, both anglers and non-anglers
alike can appreciate watching fish on a calm lake or while snorkeling, or simply enjoying
a meal of freshly-caught Ontario fish.
10
Commercial Fisheries
Ontario’s commercial food fishery is one of the largest freshwater fisheries in the world,
and is part of Ontario's heritage and culture. Many towns, such as Port Dover and Port
Stanley on the Canadian shores of Lake Erie, were founded because of commercial
fishing activities. Today, the towns of Kingsville and Wheatley are home to some of the
largest commercial freshwater fish processing centres in Canada.
While most commercial food fishing takes place on the Great Lakes, substantial
fisheries exist on large inland lakes, such as Lake of the Woods, Lake Nipigon and Lake
Nipissing. There are also fisheries on some smaller inland lakes in northwestern and
eastern Ontario.
Aboriginal Fisheries
Since time immemorial, fish have been of central importance to Aboriginal peoples in
Ontario. Throughout the province, Aboriginal peoples have constitutionally protected
Aboriginal and treaty rights to fish for food, social and ceremonial purposes. There are
also several Aboriginal commercial fisheries across Ontario, which often stem from
historic practice.
Many species of fish were, and continue to be, important to Aboriginal peoples as an
integral part of their spiritual and cultural identities. Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser
fulvescens), for example, is considered to be sacred by some Aboriginal peoples. It is a
clan within the Ojibwe clan system and there are various stories, ceremonies and
traditional teachings that acknowledge its significance. Sturgeon has been an important
traditional food source for Aboriginal communities and continues to be highly valued
today.
There are many historic fishing sites across Ontario where Aboriginal peoples gathered
at specific times throughout the year. Whether at Bawating (Sault Ste. Marie), Toronto,
Manitou Rapids on Rainy River, or the mouth of the Winisk River, these sites brought
Aboriginal families and communities together to fish and often became traditional
meeting places to share goods and information, to enter into agreements, and to
participate in spiritual and cultural ceremonies.
One such site is the Mnjikaning Fish Weirs, located at the Narrows between Lakes
Simcoe and Couchiching. This National Historic Site contains the largest and best
preserved wooden fish weirs in eastern North America. According to carbon dating, First
Nations began using the site more than 5000 years ago, beginning around 3300 B.C.
The site remained in use by First Nations until the years preceding World War II.
11
It is recognized that the history of Aboriginal fisheries long pre-dates the existence of
the province, and that these fisheries continue to contribute significantly to the dietary,
social, cultural and economic needs of many Aboriginal communities in Ontario today.
Ontario’s Fisheries
Ontario has a variety of important recreational, commercial and
subsistence fisheries.
Did you know?

Ontario has over 900,000 resident recreational anglers, more than
any other province or territory in Canada

Anglers fished nearly 17 million days in 2010

Ontario’s commercial food fishery caught nearly 12 million kg of fish
in 2011, making it one of the largest freshwater fisheries in the world

1200 bait licences were issued and approximately 144 million fish
were harvested for bait in 2010
(Source: MNR data)
Economic Value of Fisheries
Recreational Fisheries
In 2010, anglers reported spending over $850 million on consumable goods and
services in Ontario (Table 1), such as packages purchased from lodges or outfitters that
include accommodation, food, transportation and use of fishing equipment. Other
consumables include travel costs within Ontario, boat launch fees and moorage.
Anglers also spent over $1.4 billion in 2010 on fishing-related investment goods (Table
1), such as boating equipment, buildings and vehicles. Collectively, expenditures related
to recreational fishing in Ontario were estimated to exceed $2.2 billion (OMNR, 2013).
Recreational fishing is a key tourism driver in Ontario. For instance, in 2000, there were
an estimated 1,190 resource-based tourism sites in Ontario that were accessible by
floatplane, train or boat; over three-quarters of these were fly-in outpost camps, the
majority of which were located in northern Ontario. In 2004-05, 25% of U.S. travelers to
Ontario participated in fishing. In northern Ontario, this contribution is even more
apparent, with more than 40% of U.S. travelers participating in recreational fishing, and
fishing cited most often as the reason for taking an overnight trip in northern Ontario. In
2010, it was estimated that fishing-related vacation packages generated more than
12
$130 million in Ontario, more than $100 million of which was generated from nonresidents.
Table 1: Reported expenditures and investments by recreational anglers in Ontario,
1995-2010 (OMNR, 2013).
Angler Expenditures ($Billions)
1995
2000
2005
2010
Consumables
1.030
0.991
0.979
0.853
Investments Wholly Attributable to
Fishing
0.671
0.700
0.761
0.766
Investments Partially Attributable to
Fishing
0.669
0.642
0.597
0.643
Total (nominal dollars)
2.370
2.333
2.337
2.262
Recreational fishing also makes important contributions to the MNR’s Fish and Wildlife
Special Purpose Account (SPA). Funds held in the SPA are used exclusively for
management of fish and wildlife in Ontario. From 2009-2010, recreational fishing licence
sales contributed $35.5 million to the SPA, which was approximately 62% of the
accounts’ value that year.
Commercial Food Fisheries
There are approximately 500 active commercial fish licences in Ontario, of which more
than 100 are held by Aboriginal individuals or communities. In 2011, commercial licence
holders caught nearly 12,000 metric tonnes (about 12 million kg) of fish. The dockside
value of their harvest varies from year to year, however in 2011 that figure was more
than $33 million. Including processing and sales to food stores and restaurants in
Ontario, the U.S. and around the world, the industry’s contribution to Ontario's economy
was about $234 million in 2011. From 2009-2010, commercial fish licence sales and
fishing royalties contributed $923 thousand to the SPA, which was approximately 2% of
the accounts’ value that year. Commercial fishing and its associated processing and
shipping activities employ a significant amount of people in a number of smaller
communities around the Great Lakes. Commercial fishing is also an important economic
development initiative for a number of Aboriginal communities across the province.
In the Great Lakes, Lake Erie accounts for approximately 80% of the landed value (i.e.,
the price awarded to fishers for their catch) and 75% of the commercial harvest. Lake
Huron makes up most of the remainder, accounting for approximately 17% of the value
and 15% of the harvest from the Great Lakes. Rainbow Smelt, Yellow Perch, Walleye
13
and Lake Whitefish make up approximately 80% of Great Lakes harvest by weight;
White Bass (Morone chrysops), White Perch (Morone americana), Cisco, Lake Trout
and several other species make up the balance of the harvest. Lakes Superior and
Ontario support small commercial fisheries. The principal commercial fish on Lake
Superior is Lake Whitefish, followed by Cisco. A variety of species are fished on Lake
Ontario, including Yellow Perch and Sunfish, which support a locally important
commercial fish industry.
Commercial fishing on inland lakes targets a diversity of species. On Lake Nipigon in
northwestern Ontario, Lake Whitefish accounts for about 80% of the harvest. The
remainder of the harvest is divided among Rainbow Smelt, Lake Trout, Northern Pike,
ciscoes and suckers. The fisheries on other lakes with commercial activity in the
northwest also predominately harvest Lake Whitefish, with smaller harvests of Northern
Pike, Lake Trout, Yellow Perch, Walleye and Black Crappie also occurring. On Lake
Nipissing in the northeast, Walleye is the primary target species. In southeastern
Ontario inland waters, Brown Bullhead (Ameirus nebulosus), sunfishes (Lepomis spp.),
Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio), Bowfin (Amia calva),
suckers, Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris), White Perch, Channel Catfish (Ictalurus
punctatus) and Northern Pike are harvested for commercial purposes.
Commercial Bait Fisheries
Approximately 60% of anglers in Ontario use live baitfish, supporting the largest live
baitfish industry in Canada. It is estimated that direct sales of baitfish in Ontario are
worth approximately $17 million annually. A licence is required to harvest, buy or sell
baitfish or leeches for commercial purposes. In 2010, 1208 commercial bait licences
were issued, of which 651 were dealer licences and 557 were harvester licenses;
because an individual may hold more than one licence, slightly fewer individuals were
involved in the bait industry than there were licences issued. The issuance of baitfish
licences in 2009-2010 raised approximately $314 thousand in licence fees, which
represented about 0.5% of the SPA’s value that year.
The bait industry harvested approximately 144 million fish in 2010, of which almost 60%
or approximately 86 million were recorded as “baitfish” (mixed bait species). Among the
remaining 40% of baitfish which were identified, Emerald Shiner (Notropis atherinoides)
made up the majority, with over 58 million fish harvested; approximately 90 thousand
Lake Herring were also harvested. In addition, over 26 million leeches were harvested
commercially.
Harvesting occurs throughout the province, with the bulk of the “baitfish” and Emerald
Shiner harvest coming from southern Ontario, particularly from Lakes Simcoe and Erie;
14
most of the leeches come from northwestern Ontario and most Cisco come from
northeastern Ontario.
4.0 Managing Ontario’s Fisheries, Fish Communities and Supporting
Ecosystems
The MNR has legislative responsibility for sustainably managing Ontario’s natural
resources, including fish. To meet its responsibility, the MNR uses a variety of policy,
planning and management tools.
Legislation
The Constitution Act, 1867 vests the legislative authority over sea coast and inland
fisheries to the Parliament of Canada, and authority over natural resources,
management and sale of public lands, and property and civil rights to the provinces.
This division of responsibility has established the framework for the management of
fisheries, fish communities and their supporting ecosystems in Ontario.
Fisheries management falls within the direct mandates of Fisheries and Oceans
Canada (DFO) and the MNR; the mandates of some other authorities (e.g., Transport
Canada, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation Authorities) also include
aspects that relate to fisheries management. The primary Acts and regulations that
apply to the management of fisheries and their habitats in Ontario are the Fisheries Act;
the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007; the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences
Regulations, 2009; and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997. There is additional
federal and provincial legislation (Appendix 2), and national and international
agreements, which help MNR and other authorities achieve their mandates to manage
fish, fisheries and their supporting ecosystems in Ontario.
Strategic Direction
Currently, the management principles in Our Sustainable Future: A Renewed Call to
Action (2011); Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy: Protecting What Sustains Us (2011);
Biodiversity: It’s in our Nature (2012); MNR’s Statement of Environmental Values; the
Strategic Plan for Ontario’s Fisheries II (1992); the Joint Strategic Plan for Management
of Great Lakes Fisheries; and the guiding principles that derive from these documents
provide the strategic direction for managing fisheries, fish communities and their
supporting ecosystems in Ontario. The draft Provincial Fish Strategy incorporates the
strategic direction provided in the aforementioned documents.
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Ontario’s Strategic Direction for Managing Fisheries Resources
Our Sustainable Future: A Renewed Call to Action (OSF, 2011)
Our Sustainable Future sets out the long-term strategic directions and current priorities of
the Ministry of Natural Resources. The Ministry first published its strategic directions in
1990 and has updated them every five or six years in order to ensure they address
changes, issues and opportunities affecting Ontario's natural resources and respond to
the needs of Ontario citizens.
Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy: Protecting What Sustains Us (OBS, 2011) and
Biodiversity: It’s in Our Nature (BIION, 2012)
Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy is the guiding framework for coordinating the conservation
of our province’s rich variety of life and ecosystems. The strategy helps Ontario do its part
in relation to the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy and the UN Convention on Biological
Diversity and was released by the Ontario Biodiversity Council. Biodiversity: It’s in Our
Nature is the implementation plan that sets out the action the government will undertake
to contribute to the vision and goals outlined in the OBS.
MNR’s Statement of Environmental Values (SEV)
The MNR’s Statement of Environmental Values is required under the Environmental Bill of
Rights. The SEV identifies the Ministry’s commitment to the environment and documents
its accountability for ensuring consideration of the environment in its decisions. The SEV
explains how the purposes of the EBR will be applied when decisions that might
significantly affect the environment are made by the MNR, and how consideration of the
EBR will be integrated with other considerations – including social, economic and
scientific – that are part of decision-making in the Ministry.
Strategic Plan for Ontario Fisheries II (SPOF II, 1992)
The original Strategic Plan for Ontario Fisheries (SPOF I) was developed in 1976 and
provided a long-term plan for managing Ontario's fisheries resources. In 1989, the
Ministry of Natural Resources, in consultation with the public, updated the Strategic
Plan for Ontario Fisheries (SPOF II) for the 1990s and beyond. SPOF II identified the
ecological, economic, and social values we place on our fisheries, and mapped out a
course of action to sustain aquatic ecosystems for the future.
Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries (JSPMGLF, 1997)
The Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries is a voluntary, multijurisdictional agreement signed by Canadian, U.S. and U.S. Tribal resource management
agencies. The Joint Strategic Plan fosters cooperation among the jurisdictions,
development of shared fish community objectives, data sharing, and adherence to
ecosystem management. Implementation of the Plan is facilitated by the Great Lakes
Fishery Commission.
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Managing Fisheries
As the lead planning agency for fisheries management in Ontario, the MNR is
responsible for: policy, planning and program development; allocation of fish to
Aboriginal, recreational, commercial and baitfish fisheries; managing fisheries using
regulations and licensing; enforcing fishing regulations and relevant legislation; fish
culture and stocking; species at risk and invasive species management; and fish habitat
rehabilitation.
Scale of Management
Fisheries management in Ontario operates at a number of spatial and temporal scales
depending on the type of fishery (e.g., recreational or commercial) and the nature of any
stresses impacting the fishery. Historically, recreational fisheries management occurred
across 37 Fishing Divisions, but, over time, a sharp rise in individual lake fishing
exceptions to Division-wide regulations occurred. Thus, fishing regulations were
frequently focused on individual lakes. This approach was both costly and ineffective, in
part because it failed to recognize the mobility of anglers; when more restrictive
regulations are put in place, for example, fishing pressure tends to shift to other
waterbodies (Lester et al. 2003).
In January 2008, 20 Fisheries Management Zones (FMZs) replaced the former 37
Fishing Divisions (Figure 2) as the spatial unit for management; this change to
landscape-scale management was a key component of the Ecological Framework for
Fisheries Management (OMNR, 2005). The new FMZ boundaries are based on
ecological factors and angler use patterns, such as the provincial climate zones,
watersheds, fishing pressure and road networks. These landscape-scale zones are now
the unit of planning and management for most recreational fisheries in Ontario.
Ontario’s recreational fisheries for both native and naturalized sport fishes are managed
through fishing regulations, such as catch limits, closed seasons and gear restrictions,
which are applied at the zone level, although exceptions to the regulations do exist for
some lakes. Typically, fish are also monitored and assessed at the zone level. However,
higher risk fisheries or those with significant social, economic and ecological value may
continue to be managed on an individual lake basis within the context of zone
management. Examples of these intensively managed fisheries include those found on
Lake Nipissing and Lake Simcoe.
17
Figure 2: In 2008, Ontario's thirty-seven Fishing Divisions were replaced by twenty
Fisheries Management Zones, providing the framework to manage fisheries on a
landscape-scale.
The majority of Ontario’s commercial food fisheries are on the Great Lakes. The Great
Lakes Fishery Commission promotes and facilitates bi-national management of both
commercial and recreational fisheries on these lakes. In terms of the commercial
fishery, each Great Lake is partitioned into quota management zones (Figure 3); within
the Canadian waters of each lake, the MNR issues licences, sets annual individual
species catch quotas and monitors harvests by commercial fishermen within those
quota management zones. Management of inland commercial food fisheries is mostly at
the spatial scale of the lake. On each lake, the MNR issues licenses and sets annual
individual species catch quotas; monitoring of the harvest also occurs, but is currently
less intensive than that conducted on the Great Lakes.
18
Figure 3: Commercial Fish Quota Zones in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River,
illustrating how the Great Lakes are partitioned into quota management zones for
commercial fisheries management.
The commercial baitfish industry in Ontario is currently managed on the basis of over
3000 Bait Harvest Areas (BHA) (Figure 4). The standard size of a BHA in most MNR
Districts throughout the province is the Township, Mercator Block or Base-map Block,
although some Districts use watershed boundaries or have divided townships into
smaller blocks and licence them separately. In some areas, such as private property,
the BHA may be as small as a single pond. Individual bait harvesters are licenced for
one or multiple BHAs.
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Figure 4: Bait Harvest Areas overlaid atop MNR Districts.
Fisheries Management Planning
Historically, fisheries management planning used administrative boundaries (i.e., MNR
Districts) as its spatial unit. District Fisheries Management Plans were developed by
MNR to guide fisheries management in all Ontario waters, within the framework of the
SPOF I. District fisheries management planning began in the mid-1980s and the plans
served to identify issues, strategies and actions, such as stocking, seasons and limits,
for management of fisheries resources. Implementation of the plans resulted in an
unprecedented increase in the number and complexity of angling regulations as a result
of a management approach that focused on individual lakes and rivers. All District
Fisheries Management Plans are in the process of being replaced by FMZ Plans (or
20
plans at other spatial planning scales), which identify objectives and strategies for
managing fisheries in each FMZ; consistent with direction from the Ecological
Framework for Fisheries Management, MNR produces FMZ Plans in consultation with
FMZ Advisory Councils. Within some FMZs, fisheries that are considered higher risk or
are of significant social, economic and ecological value may continue to be managed on
an individual basis (e.g., Lake Nipissing, Lake Simcoe).
The fisheries management planning undertaken for each of the Great Lakes FMZs
recognizes the bi-national nature, size and ecological complexity of these lakes. This
planning has been guided by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s (GLFC) Joint
Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries that was first adopted by
Canadian and U.S. jurisdictions in 1981. As part of a commitment under the GLFC,
specific fish community objectives for each Great Lake have been developed and
agreed upon, and are reviewed periodically by the joint management agencies, which
include MNR.
Management of Ontario’s recreational and commercial fisheries occurs through an
adaptive management framework. Adaptive management is a systematic process of
continuously improving management approaches and policies over time. It involves
monitoring the results of management actions, periodically adjusting those actions as
understanding of the managed system improves or the level of risk to the resource
changes. Adaptive management acknowledges that there is uncertainty about how
natural systems work and how they may respond to management interventions, and
provides a mechanism for continuous improvement of management decisions over time.
Monitoring and Reporting
Monitoring is critical to managing fisheries under an adaptive framework. Monitoring
supports fisheries management and evaluates the success of fisheries management by:
estimating current status, trends, and changes in Ontario’s fish resources, including the
effect of management actions on those parameters; describing the geographic
coverage, extent and characteristics of aquatic resources in Ontario; seeking
associations between natural and anthropogenic stresses and the condition of aquatic
resources; providing information for periodic reports on the state of aquatic resources in
Ontario; and helping MNR anticipate the future needs of the organization. Monitoring is
essential for determining if current management actions require adjustment and for
informing policy development and implementation decisions.
Several different types of monitoring activities are required to support management of
fisheries and aquatic resources depending on the objectives and scale, and these
different monitoring activities are dependent on each other. In addition to supporting
fisheries and aquatic resources management, the data and information collected by
21
monitoring fish resources and aquatic ecosystems supports other related MNR
priorities, such as the maintenance of biological diversity.
MNR conducts long-term intensive fisheries monitoring for the Great Lakes and
selected inland lakes, and landscape level broad-scale monitoring for inland lakes. A
small number of targeted monitoring programs are nested within this framework.
Targeted monitoring may be required when there is a need to track the response of a
particular feature or species, such as a species at risk. Targeted monitoring should only
be undertaken within an adaptive management context, and only when dictated by risk.
It must have a clear rationale, focused and measurable objectives, and must be carried
out using science-based protocols. At present time, no standard program exists for
monitoring flowing waters in Ontario, although there is a program for monitoring and
assessing fish communities in non-wadeable rivers, and another for evaluating benthic
macroinvertebrates, fish communities, physical habitat and water temperatures in
wadeable streams (i.e., Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol).
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Science and Monitoring to Support Fisheries Management:
Some Examples
Broad-scale Monitoring (BsM): A monitoring program applied to inland
lakes across the province to collect basic information on fish populations
and aquatic habitat, and a key component of the Ecological Framework for
Fisheries Management. It provides MNR fisheries managers and Fisheries
Management Zone Advisory Councils with the necessary information for
setting management objectives, developing management strategies and
measuring the performance of management actions. The information
collected by the program is also used in reports to the public on the status
of fisheries in Ontario.
Intensive Monitoring: MNR continues to intensively monitor selected
lakes (including the Great Lakes) to collect detailed data on a smaller
number of water bodies in Ontario. The Fisheries Assessment Unit
Network, which was established after SPOF I, became an important
component of this intensive monitoring system; the Network was designed
to routinely monitor the response of fish communities to various stresses
and levels of stress. A variety of netting standards, such as Fall Walleye
Index Netting and End of Spring Trap Netting, were developed to collect
monitoring data. The information derived from intensive monitoring is
important for managing very large and economically important fisheries,
and for supporting and interpreting the data from broad-scale monitoring.
Riverine Index Netting (RIN): A monitoring protocol used for assessing
fish populations and communities in medium to large non-wadable rivers. It
is one of only a few methods that exist for monitoring non-wadable rivers in
the world. The information obtained from monitoring is important for
reporting on the status of fish populations and communities, as well as for
the future development of additional riverine sampling and monitoring
methodologies.
(Source: MNR monitoring protocols)
Allocation and Licensing
Ontario’s first priority in allocation is the conservation of the fisheries resource. After
conservation, existing Aboriginal and treaty rights to fish for food, social and ceremonial
purposes take priority over other uses. Where there are existing Aboriginal commercial
fishing rights, the MNR endeavours to allocate in accordance with its understanding of
case law. Remaining available fish are managed for the benefit of recreational,
commercial food and bait fisheries.
Direct allocation of fisheries resources through the use of licensing regulations is largely
confined to the management of Ontario’s commercial food fisheries. For Ontario’s
23
recreational fisheries, the allocation of fisheries resources implicitly occurs through both
fishing licences issued to individual fishers and fishing regulations. However, the
regulations do not specify where a fisher may catch and harvest those fish, resulting in
essentially open access fisheries for recreationally harvested fish species in Ontario.
Commercial fishing licences, which are issued under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Act, 1997, have specific quotas that limit the amount (kg) and species of fish that can be
harvested. The sum of all quotas constitutes a formal allocation of fish to this user
group. Commercial quotas can be applied to a complete waterbody, or they may be
applied to an area within a waterbody, such as is done on the Great Lakes and other
large waterbodies. The number of commercial fisheries on a waterbody is also
controlled. The number of licences that are issued on a particular waterbody is based
on the level of harvest that fish populations can sustain over the long-term and the
current level of harvest by other user groups.
In terms of commercial bait fisheries, there is no limit on the number or amount of legal
baitfishes that may be harvested. Instead, allocation is through an exclusive use block
system based on the BHA.
Regulations
For many fish species, the province establishes catch and possession limits, size limits,
fishing seasons and the fishing gear that can be used by recreational and commercial
fishers. The type of measures applied depends on the zone fishery objectives and the
state of the fishery, and are intended to help ensure sustainable use of the fisheries
resource. In recent years, the MNR has undertaken a review to reduce the number of
recreational fishing regulations by streamlining them across FMZs and to ensure they
are effective and are achieving fisheries objectives. Regulatory guidelines, known as
toolkits, have been developed for most major sport fish species to provide a series of
broad-scale regulatory options to ensure seasons and catch limits are standardized.
Recreational fisheries are primarily regulated by the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007
(OFR) under the federal Fisheries Act. The OFR lay out basic controls for fishing in
Ontario, such as bait and gear restrictions, acceptable non-angling methods, size limits
and transport of fish. In addition, broad overarching close times and catch and
possession limits for fish species are set out in schedules to the OFR.
Commercial food fisheries in Ontario are primarily regulated through conditions attached
to the commercial fishing licence and by the OFR under the federal Fisheries Act.
Conditions can be used to restrict the commercial fishing activity of licence holders to a
specified area within a waterbody; licence conditions can also indicate the time of year
when species can be harvested, the quantity of fish that may be harvested, the
requirement to keep a daily catch report and the type of capture equipment that can be
24
used. Licence conditions can also include the size of fish that may be harvested, as
some sizes may carry high levels of contaminants. Regulations can relate to the type of
gear markings required on certain waterbodies, fishing close times and the permittance
of observers to monitor activities and review records aboard a licensed commercial
fishing vessel.
Commercial bait fisheries are regulated by the conditions attached to the commercial
bait licence and by the OFR under the federal Fisheries Act. Annual reporting of bait
harvest and sales information is mandatory, and there are restrictions on which fish
species may legally be used as bait. Recently, requirements for training and
development of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point plans have come into effect,
as have restrictions on the movement of live baitfish in some areas.
Compliance
Conservation Officers support fisheries management primarily by promoting compliance
with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, the Ontario Fishery Regulations,
2007 and the federal Fisheries Act. Regulatory compliance is achieved through
activities ranging from outreach and education to field inspections and prosecutions.
Enforcement priorities are set as part of an annual planning process. Fisheries
managers and enforcement specialists determine which activities that pose risks can be
managed by compliance and enforcement actions. Priorities are then set on the basis of
risk posed to human health and safety, natural resources, the economy and
social/cultural values.
Responsible Fishing Practices
Fishing activities can have potentially negative impacts on the target fish population
and/or on species associated with or dependent on the targeted population (such as
predators or prey). Fishing can also impact the habitats in which it occurs. The
introduction and transfer of alien and invasive species through the release of live bait
and by moving boats between lakes is another potentially negative impact of fishing that
can have ecological, social and economic consequences.
To minimize the direct and indirect impacts of fishing, the MNR promotes responsible
fishing practices in addition to licensing requirements and regulations. The MNR works
with its partners, stakeholders and academia to review and update these policies and
practices as necessary.
Research and Development
As a science-based Ministry, the MNR is dependent on scientific and technical
information to carry out its mandate. Research and development conducted or
supported by the MNR is designed to meet the scientific needs of natural resources
25
policy development and management activities. Applied research in the fields of
fisheries and aquatic ecology, for instance, has informed development of regulations
and policies directly related to recreational fishing and shoreline development. Research
in terrestrial fields, such as forestry, has led to improved management guidelines that
minimize or avoid adverse impacts to aquatic ecosystems. MNR researchers and their
partners are also providing scientific support to a growing diversity of aquatic research
questions, including species at risk, renewable energy, climate change, and biodiversity
conservation.
Fish Stocking
Since before Confederation, the stocking of artificially propagated fish and the transfer
of wild fish have played an important role in fisheries management in Ontario. Fish
stocking and transfers can meet a variety of objectives, including rehabilitation of a
depressed population and provision of new, more diversified angling opportunities that
reduce the pressure on native populations. In the future, there may be an opportunity to
also employ stocking as a tool in the recovery of species at risk. The MNR has
developed the Guidelines for Stocking Fish in Inland Waters of Ontario to ensure that all
stocking activities are conducted in an ecologically responsible manner.
The MNR currently operates nine provincial fish culture stations to support these
various objectives. These fish culture stations annually produce about 8 million fish
consisting of 11 different species. Two thousand water bodies are stocked on a four
year cycle, and stocking is generally split 50:50 between the Great Lakes and inland
lakes. Sixty percent of the stock is used for rehabilitation of native populations and
genetic stocks to re-establish self-sustaining populations, and the remaining 40% to
create, maintain or enhance recreational fisheries (e.g., put-grow-take).
MNR fish culture stations and partner hatcheries provide varied combinations of Lake
Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Atlantic Salmon
and Walleye for the Great Lakes. Lake Whitefish, Lake Trout, Brook Trout, Aurora Trout
(Salvelinus fontinalis timagamiensis), Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Walleye,
Muskellunge and F1 Splake (Salvelinus fontinalis x Salvelinus namaycush) – the sterile,
hybrid offspring that results when a male Brook Trout is crossed with a female Lake
Trout – are provided for numerous inland lakes.
Genetic conservation and stock restorations are also very important components of the
MNR’s fish culture program. For example, the fish culture system helped to save the
Aurora Trout from extinction due to acid-stressed environmental conditions. Lake
Simcoe Lake Trout and Lake Whitefish populations are also being preserved through
annual wild spawn collections and stocking activities, and Great Lakes Lake Trout
stocks are also being restored.
26
Fish Health
In the wild, fish are susceptible to a number of stresses, such as disease pathogens,
natural physiological stress and extremes in environmental conditions, including warm
water temperatures and low concentrations of dissolved oxygen. All of these factors can
result in fish die-offs. While some fish die-offs are expected, such as those caused by
stress due to spawning, reports from the public are important to help the MNR identify
die-offs associated with fish diseases. For this reason, the MNR encourages the
reporting of all die-offs and maintains a toll-free reporting line through which members of
the public can report and provide information on die-offs. The MNR also conducts
surveillance for fish disease, namely viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), in partnership
with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Surveillance activities include sampling
high risk lakes, sampling any die-offs, and conducting random sampling across the
province.
Fish die-offs found to be caused by disease are treated very seriously. The MNR has
taken specific steps to slow the spread of certain fish diseases, such as VHS, and to
advise anglers on how to protect Ontario's fisheries and fish communities. For instance,
to slow the spread of VHS from waters in which it has been detected, the MNR
established two special management zones, the VHS Management Zone and the Lake
Simcoe Management Zone, and applied management actions to each. To date, these
actions have included prohibiting commercial bait operators from moving live baitfish out
of the VHS Management Zone, and from moving baitfish (live or dead) into or out of the
Lake Simcoe Management Zone.
Food Fish Safety
The MNR administers the Fish Inspection Act (Ontario), 1990, which, together with
Quality Control Regulation 456, establishes standards for the handling and processing
of fish. The Fish Inspection Act and its regulations prohibit the sale of tainted,
decomposed or unwholesome fish for human consumption, and set out standards for
the safe handling and processing of fish at licensed facilities, as well as for facility
design and operation.
MNR currently administers an interim food fish safety program that includes audits of
non-federally registered fish processors. The MNR program was designed to protect
human health until new legislation that includes fish is developed under Ontario’s Food
Safety and Quality Act, 2001, and a new Ontario fish inspection program is
implemented.
The Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish gives guidelines for eating sport fish in
waterbodies throughout Ontario. The MNR and Ontario Ministry of the Environment
collect fish that are then analyzed for a variety of substances, including mercury, PCBs,
27
mirex, DDT and dioxins. The results are used to develop advisory tables that give sizespecific consumption advice for fish species tested from each waterbody.
Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish
Ontario’s program for monitoring contaminants in sport fish was initiated
in1976, and is led by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE). The
Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish is published every two years to provide
detailed information on the quantities of Ontario sport fish that can be
consumed based on Health Canada guidelines.
(Source: MOE)
Managing for Fish Communities
Invasive Species Prevention and Management
Invasive species are a serious threat to aquatic biodiversity in Ontario and are a major
cause of declines in abundance of some native species. In Canada, the top pathways
for introduction of aquatic invasive species include shipping; recreational and
commercial boating; use of live bait for fishing; the aquarium and water garden trade;
live food fish; unauthorized introductions; and canal and water diversions.
The introduction of invasive species, including the Zebra Mussel (Dreissena
polymorpha), Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and Round Goby, has resulted in
significant negative ecological, economic and social consequences. Many invasive
species have negatively affected native fish communities and the important recreational
and commercial fisheries that depend on them. Sea Lamprey, for instance, strongly
contributed to the significant declines in both Lake Trout populations and their
associated fisheries on the Great Lakes. Further, an invasive species is almost always a
permanent liability to society, and can require costly control in perpetuity. For example,
the invasion of the Zebra Mussel has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in
control and maintenance costs for industrial water users.
In addition, some native species have established populations in aquatic ecosystems in
which they were not historically present. The most likely pathways for these
introductions have included unauthorized or ill-advised stocking and use of live bait for
fishing. The introduction of species such as Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass and Yellow
Perch has, in many cases, disrupted the native fish community and negatively impacted
highly valued sport fish species such as Brook Trout and Lake Trout. In the case of
Smallmouth Bass and Rock Bass, they have reduced the diversity and abundance of
native prey fishes in the shallow waters of pristine Ontario lakes through predation. In
these same lakes, Smallmouth Bass and Rock Bass compete with Lake Trout for
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access to the remaining shallow water prey fish, forcing Lake Trout to eat less nutritious
prey (Vander Zanden et al. 1999); this type of food web change can have severe
impacts on Lake Trout populations, including reduced growth and reproductive success.
In the case of Yellow Perch, competition with Brook Trout for bottom-dwelling prey in
small, undisturbed lakes has resulted in Brook Trout shifting its diet to less nutritious
prey. This diet shift has had population level impacts, with Brook Trout being fewer in
number and slower in growth than before competition with Yellow Perch (Fraser 1978;
Browne 2009).
Ontario's program to help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species
includes research, monitoring, education and outreach, prevention initiatives, control
and containment, and collaboration with other jurisdictions, agencies and organizations.
MNR works with numerous government and non-government partners to focus efforts
on addressing the pathways of introduction and managing the spread through strategic
management involving: legislation, regulation and compliance monitoring; risk
management, including risk assessment, early detection and rapid response;
engagement of Ontarians to promote stewardship, education and awareness; and
science-based monitoring and research.
The Ontario Invasive Species Strategic Plan
The Ontario Invasive Species Strategic Plan outlines Ontario's approach to
the prevention, early detection and rapid response to new invasive
species, and the effective management of existing invasive species.
Under the Plan, invasive species are defined as harmful alien species
whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy, or
society, including human health. A species can be considered invasive
even if it is native to Ontario, provided it has been introduced beyond its
natural range due to human activity. A species may also be considered
invasive if its introduction or spread can be linked to our changing climate.
Where a native species is considered invasive, local management plans
(e.g., FMZ Plans) can be used to identify specific management objectives
and strategies to minimize the impact and spread of the species.
Species at Risk Recovery Planning
The Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) list is an important tool for recovery planning
that falls under the provincial Endangered Species Act, 2007. Planning for the recovery
of species at risk involves the development and implementation of recovery strategies.
Such strategies are dynamic, science-based documents that provide recommendations
on how best to recover threatened, endangered and extirpated species. Developing and
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implementing recovery strategies involves the efforts of many, often including
government agencies, the academic community, taxonomic experts, Aboriginal peoples,
stakeholder groups and members of the public. Species listed as being of special
concern are managed through the actions outlined in management plans.
How are Species listed "at risk"?
In Ontario, species that may be at risk are reviewed by a team of experts known
as the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO).
COSSARO can be made up of people with expertise in certain scientific
disciplines or Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge.
The committee's responsibilities include:
 Classifying species;
 Maintaining criteria for assessing and classifying species at risk;
 Maintaining a list of species to be assessed in the future; and
 Reporting classifications to the Minister of Natural Resources.
COSSARO was established in 1995, but was only recognized legally as a
committee with the introduction of the Endangered Species Act in
2007. COSSARO is an independent body composed of members from both the
public and private sectors. The Minister of Natural Resources may make
recommendations on committee members, but the final decision on who can be a
member is made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
COSSARO must classify each “at risk” species into one of five categories:
 Extinct: no longer lives anywhere in the world;
 Extirpated: lives somewhere in the world, and at one time lived in the wild in
Ontario, but no longer lives in the wild in Ontario;
 Endangered: lives in the wild in Ontario, but is facing imminent extinction or
extirpation;
 Threatened: lives in the wild in Ontario, is not endangered, but is likely to
become endangered if steps are not taken to address factors threatening it; or
 Special Concern: lives in the wild in Ontario, is not endangered or threatened,
but may become threatened or endangered due to a combination of biological
characteristics and identified threats.
(Source: MNR Website)
There is a long history of cooperation on species at risk management among federal
and provincial government agencies. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is the lead agency
for fishes at risk that are listed under Schedule 1 of the federal Species at Risk Act
(SARA), 2002, and leads the development and implementation of recovery strategies
for these species in cooperation with the MNR and other partners. Recovery of fishes at
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risk that are listed under the ESA, but not SARA, is led by MNR. For fishes listed under
both Acts, there is cooperation on the development and implementation of recovery
strategies.
Although recovery planning has traditionally focused on individual species (e.g.,
Recovery Strategy for Redside Dace), there has been a shift toward using a broader
multi-species or ecosystem-level recovery approach that may prove more effective and
economical. For example, watershed recovery plans have been developed by multiagency recovery teams to address threats and outline approaches to protect aquatic
species and their habitats (e.g., Sydenham River and Ausable River Recovery
Strategies). Also, multi-species plans may be developed for species with similar traits,
habitat requirements, distributions and/or vulnerability to key threats (e.g., Multi-Turtle
Recovery Strategy, mussel recovery strategies).
The finalization of a recovery strategy triggers the requirement for the Government of
Ontario to develop a government response statement. A response statement provides
the government’s goal for the recovery of the species and a summary of the prioritized
action that it intends to take in response to the associated recovery strategy.
Recovery of Native Populations
Efforts to recover fish species and fish communities are not limited to those that are
listed under endangered species legislation. Lake Trout is one species that, while still
wide-spread across its Ontario range, has suffered local declines due to a number of
different factors, specifically: acid precipitation in the Sudbury basin; eutrophication in
Lake Simcoe; and the combined effects of over-exploitation and sea lamprey in the
Great Lakes. Recovery efforts are underway in all of these areas to restore selfsustaining populations of this top predator.
The MNR cannot affect the recovery of a species without contributions from partners.
These contributions cover a broad range of recovery needs, depending on the project
specifics. Habitat restoration projects often occur at the grassroots level, with individual
property owners demonstrating a stewardship ethic. These relatively small projects can
help recover local fish populations. In the case of the Lake Simcoe Muskellunge
restoration program, the culture of fish in non-government hatchery facilities is a key
component to the success of the project. On a broader scale, it was only through the
contribution of partners that appropriate funding was acquired and coordinated to
enable the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program. Partners can also play a
key role in the advocacy for species, fish communities and their supporting ecosystems
as priorities for Ontarians.
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Managing for Supporting Ecosystems
Habitat Protection and Rehabilitation
Fish habitat includes spawning grounds and any other areas, including nursery, rearing,
food supply and migration areas, on which fish depend directly or indirectly in order to
carry out their life processes. The federal Fisheries Act is the principle statute used to
protect fish habitat in Canada, and is administered by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), which is issued under the Planning Act, 1990,
integrates all provincial ministries’ land use interests related to municipal planning and
development. While the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has overall
responsibility for the PPS, MNR has the lead for the policies and the provision of
technical advice regarding the protection of fish habitat. MNR’s Natural Heritage
Reference Manual is a key tool for the delivery of such technical advice.
In addition to habitat protection, MNR supports habitat restoration, rehabilitation and
enhancement projects that benefit fish and other aquatic organisms. For example, the
Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Program offers eligible organizations funding
to undertake projects that support biodiversity conservation, such as riparian plantings
and fish habitat enhancement. This work helps to ensure the sustainability of healthy
habitats over the long-term.
(Note: The Government of Canada recently made changes to the federal Fisheries Act.
This will result in changes to how fish habitat is managed in Ontario.)
Resource Management Planning
The MNR leads many resource management planning initiatives. Resource
management planning is an exercise that outlines how a particular resource will be
used, developed or conserved. Because resource management activities can impact
aquatic ecosystems, the MNR has developed standards, guidelines and best
management practices for these activities.
One example of a resource management planning initiative led by the MNR is forest
management planning. The Crown Forest Sustainability Act, 1994, is administered by
the MNR and provides protection for environmental, social and economic values. Under
the Act, forestry operations must follow Forest Management Plans and adhere to sitespecific environmental protection requirements in and around water to protect fish
habitat. As well, operational policies, such as the Forest Management Guide for
Conserving Biodiversity at the Stand and Site Scales and the Environmental Guidelines
for Access Roads and Water Crossings, provide direction on various aspects of
conserving biodiversity, including aquatic habitats.
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The MNR also leads land use planning, under the authority of the Public Lands Act,
1990, to determine appropriate land uses on Crown lands. Among other things, land
use planning establishes broad direction for resource activities and road access, which
may both impact fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. Land use planning also identifies
areas with potential for some types of development. This direction is reflected in the
Crown Land Use Policy Atlas.
Protected Areas
Ontario’s system of protected areas (i.e., Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves)
are designed to protect representative ecosystems, biodiversity and provincially
significant elements of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage, and are managed to
ensure that ecological integrity is maintained or enhanced. In addition, protected areas
provide opportunities for compatible, ecologically sustainable recreation.
A variety of aquatic ecosystems are protected in provincial parks and conservation
reserves. Protected areas contain about 6% of Ontario’s aquatic habitats, including
inland lakes, rivers and coastal wetlands. These areas support a variety of fishing
opportunities and experiences, as well as associated economic benefits. In addition,
protected areas can act as benchmarks for aquatic and fisheries research and
monitoring.
The Far North Act, 2010 sets out an objective to protect at least half of the Far North of
Ontario in an interconnected network of protected areas identified through a joint landuse planning process between First Nations and the Government of Ontario. To
accomplish this, the Act provides a legislative foundation to develop Community Based
Land Use Plans that will identify areas to be protected and areas for potential
sustainable development opportunities.
In addition, the Government of Canada maintains a system of National Parks and a
system of Marine Protected Areas across Canada. In Ontario, several of these
protected areas contribute to conserving Ontario’s biodiversity and representative
ecosystems, including Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area and Fathom
Five National Marine Park, which protect both ecological and cultural values on the
Great Lakes.
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References Cited
Browne, D.R. and J.B. Rasmussen. 2009. Shifts in the trophic ecology of brook trout
resulting from interactions with yellow perch: an intraguild predator-prey interaction.
Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 138: 1109 – 1122.
Coker, G.A., C.B. Portt, and C.K. Minns. 2001. Morphological and ecological
characteristics of Canadian freshwater fishes. Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries
and Aquatic Sciences 2554. 89pp.
Fraser, J.M. 1978. The effect of competition with yellow perch on the survival and
growth of planted brook trout, splake, and rainbow trout in a small Ontario lake.
Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 107: 505 – 517.
Lester, N.P., T.R. Marshall, K. Armstrong, W.I. Dunlop, and B. Ritchie. 2003. A broadscale approach to management of Ontario’s recreational fisheries. North American
Journal of Fisheries Management 23: 1312 – 1328.
OMNR. 2005. A new ecological framework for recreational fisheries management in
Ontario. Fisheries Section, Fish & Wildlife Branch, Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources. 16pp.
OMNR. 2013. 2010 Survey of recreational fishing in Canada: selected results for
Ontario fisheries. Fisheries Policy Section, Biodiversity Branch, Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources, Peterborough, Ontario. 68pp.
Ryder, R.A. and C.J. Edwards, eds. 1985. A conceptual approach for the application of
biological indicators of ecosystem quality in the Great Lakes Basin. Report to the Great
Lakes Science Advisory Board, Windsor, Ontario.
Vander Zanden, M.J., J.M. Casselman, and J.B. Rasmussen. 1999. Stable isotope
evidence for the food web consequences of species invasions in lakes. Nature 401: 464
– 467.
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Appendix 1: Glossary
Glossary A to E
Adaptive Management: A systematic approach to improving management and
accommodating change by learning from the outcome of management interventions.
Allocation: Assignment of aquatic resources for fish production and other water uses.
This includes providing for sufficient numbers of fish to escape harvest in order to
perpetuate the fishery as well as assigning a portion of the annual allowable yield to a
group or individual.
Alien Species: Species of plants, animals and micro-organisms introduced by human
action outside their natural past or present distribution.
Aquatic Species: A wildlife species that is a fish, as defined in Section 2 of the
Fisheries Act, or a marine plant, as defined by Section 47 of that Act.
Biodiversity: The natural variety and variability among all living organisms from all
sources, including among other things, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic
ecosystems, the ecological complexes in which they naturally occur, and the ways in
which they interact with the physical environment. Biodiversity includes the diversity of
genes, populations and species, and communities and ecosystems.
Climate Change: Any change in climate over time due to natural variability or as a
result of human activity.
Community: An assemblage or group of species that interact together in a common
area.
Conservation: The management of the human use of natural resources so they may
yield the greatest sustainable benefit to current generations, while maintaining the
potential to meet the needs of future generations. This may include consumptive and
non-consumptive use without complete destruction or conversion. Thus, conservation is
positive, embracing preservation, maintenance, sustainable utilization, restoration and
enhancement of the natural environment.
Consumable Goods and Services: Expenditures on goods and services (e.g., food,
camping, accommodation, transportation, supplies, etc.) incurred during fishing trips or
excursions.
Diversity: The variety of species or communities found in a given region or habitat.
Ecological Framework for Fisheries Management: A fisheries management
framework introduced in 2008 that had four basic pillars: (i) streamlined fisheries
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regulations; (ii) creation of new Fisheries Management Zones; (iii) increased public
involvement through creation of FMZ Councils; and (iv) development and
implementation of a new state of the resource monitoring program. The EFFM
represented a change in management approach from managing fisheries on an
individual waterbody basis to a landscape-scale.
Ecosystem: A dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and
their physical environment functioning as an ecological unit.
Ecozone: An area of the Earth’s surface that represents a large ecological zone with
characteristic natural features and climate. Ecozones are distinguished from one
another by their unique mosaics of plants, wildlife, climate, landforms and human
activities.
Glossary E to L
Environmental Bill of Rights: Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights was proclaimed in
1994. The purposes of this Act are: to protect, conserve and where reasonable, restore
the integrity of the environment; to provide sustainability of the environment by the
means provided in the Act; and to protect the right to a healthful environment by the
means provided in the Act.
Eutrophication: Abundant accumulation of nutrients in a waterbody that cause
excessive plant growth.
Fish: Includes parts of fish, shellfish, crustaceans, marine animals and any parts of
shellfish, crustaceans or marine animals, and the eggs, sperm, spawn, larvae, spat and
juvenile stages of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and marine animals (as defined in the
Fisheries Act).
Fisheries Assessment Unit Network: A network of lakes selected on the basis of their
species composition in which the response of fish communities to various stresses and
levels of stress is monitored routinely.
Fishery: A term that is usually used to describe the human use of a group of fish, and
can include the catching, preparing and selling fish.
Fishery Resources: A fish stock recognized by humans to be of current or potential
value and that humans can use for benefit or gain.
Great Lakes: The five Laurentian Great Lakes (Lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie,
Ontario).
Introduction: The entry of an organism to a geographic region, brought about by
human action, resulting in the establishment of a population.
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Invasive Species: Alien species whose introduction or spread threatens the
environment, the economy, and/or society, including human health.
Investment Goods: Expenditures on durable goods (e.g., boats, motors, special
vehicles, camping gear, land, buildings, etc.) in support of recreational fishing activities.
Lake: A standing body of water, including a pond.
Landscapes: Complexes of ecosystems in geographically defined areas.
Loading: The amount (concentration multiplied by flow rate) of a substance being
emitted or discharged.
Glossary N to R
Native Species: Species that are naturally occurring in a region or have migrated into
the region and established without having been transported by human actions into the
region, and without establishment being principally the result of human alterations of the
region’s environment.
Naturalized Species: Alien species that have established stable self-sustaining
populations.
Protected Area: A clearly defined geographic space, recognized, dedicated and
managed through legal or effective means to achieve the long-term conservation of
nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.
Protection: A commitment to protect individuals, a population or subpopulation or an
ecosystem (or portions of one) from adverse impacts that may result in their loss.
Protection (of habitats): Prescribing guidelines and conditions, and enforcing laws for
the purpose of preventing the harmful alteration, destruction or disruption of fish habitat.
Quota: A negotiated licence condition assigned to a commercial fishing licence that
states the quantity of fish of different species that may be legally landed.
Recovery: An action that is taken to reduce or eliminate a condition or circumstance
that causes a species to be listed as threatened, endangered or extirpated.
Recovery (of ecosystems): An action that is taken to reduce or eliminate a condition
or circumstance that causes an ecosystem to be degraded, for the purpose of
increasing its capacity to sustain a productive fisheries resource.
Rehabilitation: The return of a species, a population or an ecosystem to a healthy,
functioning state.
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Restoration: The return of a species, a population or an ecosystem to its state prior to
a disturbance.
Restoration (of habitats): The treatment or clean-up of fish habitat that has been
altered, disrupted or degraded for the purpose of increasing its capability to sustain a
productive fisheries resource.
Riparian: The areas of vegetation on the banks/sides of streams, rivers and other
bodies of water. These areas help remove sediments from water, reduce erosion and
flooding and support wildlife populations, including providing fisheries habitat.
Glossary R to W
Risk Assessment: The process of characterizing the likelihood of an unacceptable
outcome and the magnitude of the consequences of that outcome. Likelihood may be
determined qualitatively or quantitatively based on the type and amount of information
available. The magnitude of the consequences can be measured in biological and
socioeconomic terms.
River: A flowing body of water; including creeks, streams or brooks.
Science: Refers to research (i.e., the development and synthesis of fact based
knowledge derived through rigorous scientific methods) and related activities such as
monitoring and assessing resources, transferring science, and providing scientific
advice. Both natural and social science are included in this definition.
Species: A group of genetically similar individuals which actually or potentially
interbreed.
Species at Risk: Any wild plant or animal threatened by or vulnerable to extirpation or
extinction in Ontario. Species at Risk are assigned a designation to represent the
degree of imperilment (Special Concern, Threatened, Endangered or Extirpated).
Spread: Is the expansion of the geographical distribution of an organism within a
geographical region.
Stewardship: An ethic that embodies cooperative planning and management of
environmental resources in which individuals, organizations, communities and other
groups actively engage in the prevention of habitat loss, as well as the facilitation of
resource recovery and/or replenishment, usually with a focus on long-term
sustainability.
Stress: A stimulus or succession of stimuli which, if of sufficient magnitude, will tend to
disrupt the stability of a system.
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Supporting Ecosystem: A dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism
communities and their physical environment functioning as an ecological unit.
Ecosystems that support fish communities can have aquatic, wetland, riparian or
terrestrial components.
Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainable Use: The use of natural resources in a way and at a rate that conserves
an ecological balance without depleting or permanently damaging them, thereby
maintaining the potential for future generations to meet their needs and aspirations.
Sustainable use in this document refers to consumptive uses of biological resources.
Trophic Level: Classification of organisms in a community based on feeding
relationships.
Watershed: The area of land that drains into a river, lake or other water body.
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Appendix 2: Legislation, regulation and agency responsibilities for
management of fisheries, fish communities and their supporting
ecosystems in Ontario
Legislation
Agency
Provisions related to fish
Federal Legislation and Regulations
Canada National Parks
Act, 2000
Parks Canada
Allows for park wardens to
enforce Fisheries Act provisions
on Park lands
Canadian Environmental
Assessment Act, 2012
Environment
Canada
Regulates the process to predict
the environmental effects of
proposed initiatives before they
are carried out
Fisheries Act
(Fisheries Protection
Provisions)
Fisheries and
Oceans Canada
(& delegated
authorities)
Regulates activities affecting fish
and fish habitat, deposit of
sediment and other deleterious
substances
Ontario Fishery
Regulations, 2007
Fisheries and
Oceans Canada
(& delegated
authorities)
Regulates aspects of fisheries
management in Ontario (including
seasons, limits and methods)
Navigation Protection Act
Transport Canada
Regulates works built on, over,
through or across any navigable
water
Species at Risk Act, 2002
Environment
Canada
Protects Species At Risk and the
habitats critical for their survival
Beds of Navigable Waters
Act, R.S.O. 1990
Ministry of Natural
Resources
Regulates the beds of navigable
waters on Crown Land
Conservation Authorities
Act, R.S.O. 1990
Conservation
Authorities
Furthers the conservation and
management of natural resources
in watersheds; regulates floodplain
management
Provincial Legislation
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Drainage Act, R.S.O.
1990
Ministry of
Agriculture and
Food
Permits individuals and
municipalities to initiate and
maintain drainage works
Endangered Species Act,
2007
Ministry of Natural
Resources
Protects Species At Risk and
their habitat
Environmental
Assessment Act, R.S.O.
1990
Ministry of the
Environment
Sets out requirements for the
assessment of the effects on the
environment of public and private
projects
Environmental Protection
Act, R.S.O. 1990
(Beaches Protection Act)
Ministry of the
Environment
Regulates the removal of sand
and gravel from beaches
Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Act, 1997
Ministry of Natural
Resources
Complements the OFR, 2007
with provisions that relate to
licensing, selling and possession
of fish
Fish Inspection Act,
R.S.O. 1990
Ministry of Natural
Resources
Regulates the standards of fish
processing and sale
Food Safety and Quality
Act, 2001
Ministry of
Agriculture and
Food
Regulates the standards and
quality of fish used for food
Lakes and Rivers
Improvement Act, R.S.O.
1990
Ministry of Natural
Resources
Regulates activities affecting
lakes and rivers, including
construction of water control
structures
Municipal Act, 2001
Ministry of
Municipal Affairs
and Housing
(Municipalities
through enactment
of by-laws)
Requires and regulates approvals
for construction over municipal
lands, including shore and other
road allowances, whether dry
land or flooded
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Nutrient Management Act,
2002
Ministry of the
Environment
Enforcement of pollution
prevention provisions
Ministry of
Agriculture and
Food
Management of nutrients applied
to agricultural lands
Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990
Ministry of
Municipal Affairs
and Housing
(& delegated
authorities)
Requires planning decisions to
have regard to matters of
provincial interest, such as the
conservation & management of
natural resources
Ontario Water Resources
Act, R.S.O. 1990
Ministry of the
Environment
Regulates discharge into
waterbodies and withdrawal of
water
Public Lands Act, R.S.O.
1990
Ministry of Natural
Resources
Regulates land-use and
development plans and alteration
on shorelands
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